Cuba will not give up Socialism - Ambassador

Suraj A Bandara

Socialism will not be given up by Cuba though certain media propagate that Cuba has changed socialist policy that derived from the Cuban Revolution through ongoing economic reforms, Cuban Ambassador Nirsia Castro Guevera said.

She was addressing at the celebration of the 52nd anniversary of the triumph of the Cuban Revolution held at the Russian Centre with the participation of all the solidarity forces and friends of Cuba in Sri Lanka.

She further said this is the year of challenges for Cuba. America will reinforce its hostile policy towards Cuba through economic sanctions. Their aggressive policy on Cuba will not change though they passed a resolution in the White House to strengthen the cooperation among countries, she said.

“America will continue the same hostile policy against Cuba like in 2003”, she added.

The Ambassador thanked the Sri Lankan Government and its people for the continuous support offered and the solidarity maintained with the Cuban Government throughout history.

She said Cuba is a socialist country and this year the service sector of the Cuban economy is to be reformed so as to increase efficiency and productivity. This is another step of the Cuban Revolution and never an adherence to western economic policies.

It is necessary to promote foreign investment and self-employment in Cuba. To encourage the private entrepreneurs some changes have been made according to socialist theory.

“The public welfare will never be reduced though certain amendments are to be made to meet with the latest challenges,” she said.

Sri Lanka-Cuba Friendship Society President Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said the revolution in the spheres of education and medicine is the finest example to the world how much Cuba has excelled as a sovereign country amid thousands of hardships. No country could compete with Cuba in the field of education and medicine, he added.

Minister DEW Gunasekara said explained the humanistic traditions of the Cuban Revolution and of its leader Fidel Castro. He recalled the important role played by Cuba in surviving after the collapse of the Soviet Union. He said Cuba not only preserves its social and economic achievements but stimulates the development of Left forces in the world.

Housing Construction Minister Wimal Weerawansa said if the criterion that measures the economic value is given to public welfare Cuba will be the prominent country that will be the topmost as far as development is considered.

Minister Tissa Vitarana said Cuba is not alone in the world. It has widespread solidarity throughout the world. Sri Lanka is a key friend of Cuba for a long period.

The literacy rate in Cuba will testify to the world the success of the Cuban administrative policies. Computer literacy in Sri Lanka is around 30 percent while Cuba records a 100 percent computer literacy rate. Even far mountainous schools computer eduction has been given by using solar power. Cuban education is the one of best forms of education in the world, he noted.

Minister Vasudewa Nanayakkara said Cuba is a wonder to the world. Fidel Castro’s mission of creating a new man was successful by adopting diverse changes on the basis of socialism.

Though America tried to destroy Cuba, Cuba did not change.

Former Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Parliamentarian Bimal Rathnayaka also addressed the meeting.